Rather than the simple on/off switches of a standard MIDI keyboard, the LinnStrument's RGB-backlit note pads sense each finger's subtle movements in five ways, enabling musical performance expression rivaling that of fine acoustic instruments.

The piano's note arrangement is great for turning a sound on and off, but its uneven pitch intervals and rear-positioned black keys make it ill-suited for performing natural pitch bends and slides, an important element of expressive performance. And the piano keyboard isn't isomorphic; for each chord or scale, you must learn 12 different fingerings, one for each of the 12 musical keys.

Stringed instruments don't have any of these problems because the physics of a string require the semitones to be uniformly spaced and positioned. LinnStrument's notes are arranged as on any stringed instrument. Each row is a series of consecutive semitones, and you can tune the rows like a guitar, violin or however you wish.

By default they are tuned in musical fourths (five semitones), like a bass guitar with 8 strings. This note arrangement is called the 4ths String Layout and is fast becoming a new standard for expressive musical control, used in Ableton Push, Roli Blocks, a variety of iPad apps and more.

To make it easy to find the right notes, the naturals (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) are lit, with all the C note pads lit in a different color and having a Braille-size bump for tactile feedback. Alternatively, you can light any scale and in any of 10 colors.

About LinnStrument's Smart MIDIWorks with every MIDI synth, and even better with new MPE synths. LinnStrument sends standard MIDI messages over its USB or MIDI output jacks, and is configured by default to work out-of-the-box with every MIDI sound generator in existence, with the advantages over a MIDI keyboard of performed vibrato, note-to-note pitch slides, full pressure sensing from lightest to heaviest touch, and forward/backward movement sensing.

For fully independent 3D control of all simultaneously touches, you'll need a synth that's compatible with MPE (Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression), a new industry-wide MIDI standard that uses a separate MIDI channel for each touch. It's already supported in a long list of major software instruments. We even include free sounds files for Apple's MainStage and Logic, plus a free license for Bitwig 8-Track, all of which support MPE in their built-in synths.

Expressive Swing ArpeggiatorLinnStrument's built-in Arpeggiator responds to all dimensions of movement for entirely new ways of beat-synced play. The Replay All mode creates chordal rhythms merely by varying chord pressure, and makes LinnStrument the world's only MPE beatbox.

Split Keyboard / Strum / CC FadersYou can split the keyboard to play two different sounds, and adjust the split point as you like. You can use one split to strum notes fingered on the other split as like a guitar. Or use either split as eight horizontal Control Change Faders to adjust 8 sound parameters in real time as you play.

Low Row

The lowest row of note pads can be reassigned to act as a Sustain Pedal, a Modulation or Bend strip, to momentarily enable the Arpeggiator (sliding your thumb to vary its rate), to restrike a fingered chord, or even as a 3D control strip, modulating three parameters at once.

Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling
and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a
complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.

Gold Coverage Includes:

Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks

Normal wear and tear

Power surges

Dust, internal heat and humidity

Other plan features include:

For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks)

For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Musician's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax.

Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.

This oversized item has special shipping requirements

The shipping company will call you to schedule your delivery date and time

Someone will need to be home to receive the package

Be sure you have measured your entryway and have help available to carry the item in

Restrictions

If one or more of the items you ordered weighs less than 1 lb. is shipping to a PO Box or, if the order is held for credit card verification, it may take more than five buisness days to arrive.

truetrue

Reviews

Questions & Answers View All

/pdp/reviews/productReviewsDisplay4.jsp

Loading....

true

Write a Review

Questions & Answers

Write a Review

{"id": "J50158",
"skuOrProductId": "J50158000000000",
"categoryId":"site1CMAD",
"name":"LinnStrument 128",
"pageUrl":"/keyboards-midi/roger-linn-design-linnstrument-128",
"thumbnailUrl":"https://media.musiciansfriend.com/is/image/MMGS7/LinnStrument-128/J50158000000000-00-120x120.jpg",
"addToCartUrl":"/keyboards-midi/roger-linn-design-linnstrument-128",
"hasFeatures":"0",
"isAccessory":"0",
"message":"Rather than the simple on/off switches of a standard MIDI keyboard, the LinnStrument&#39;s RGB-backlit note pads sense each finger&#39;s subtle movements in five ways, enabling musical performance expression rivaling that of fine acoustic instruments.<br /><br>The five types of touch sensing are as follows:<br><br>Strike Velocity<br>Pressure (Z axis)<br>Left-Right (X axis)<br>Front-Back (Y axis)<br>Release Velocity<br><br><strong>Some LinnStrument Philosophy</strong><div>The piano&#39;s note arrangement is great for turning a sound on and off, but its uneven pitch intervals and rear-positioned black keys make it ill-suited for performing natural pitch bends and slides, an important element of expressive performance. And the piano keyboard isn&#39;t isomorphic; for each chord or scale, you must learn 12 different fingerings, one for each of the 12 musical keys.<br><br>Stringed instruments don&#39;t have any of these problems because the physics of a string require the semitones to be uniformly spaced and positioned. LinnStrument&#39;s notes are arranged as on any stringed instrument. Each row is a series of consecutive semitones, and you can tune the rows like a guitar, violin or however you wish. <br><br>By default they are tuned in musical fourths (five semitones), like a bass guitar with 8 strings. This note arrangement is called the 4ths String Layout and is fast becoming a new standard for expressive musical control, used in Ableton Push, Roli Blocks, a variety of iPad apps and more.<br><br>To make it easy to find the right notes, the naturals (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) are lit, with all the C note pads lit in a different color and having a Braille-size bump for tactile feedback. Alternatively, you can light any scale and in any of 10 colors.<br><br><strong>About LinnStrument&#39;s Smart MIDI</strong><br>Works with every MIDI synth, and even better with new MPE synths.&nbsp;LinnStrument sends standard MIDI messages over its USB or MIDI output jacks, and is configured by default to work out-of-the-box with every MIDI sound generator in existence, with the advantages over a MIDI keyboard of performed vibrato, note-to-note pitch slides, full pressure sensing from lightest to heaviest touch, and forward/backward movement sensing.<br><br>For fully independent 3D control of all simultaneously touches, you&#39;ll need a synth that&#39;s compatible with MPE (Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression), a new industry-wide MIDI standard that uses a separate MIDI channel for each touch. It&#39;s already supported in a long list of major software instruments. We even include free sounds files for Apple&#39;s MainStage and Logic, plus a free license for Bitwig 8-Track, all of which support MPE in their built-in synths.<br><br><strong>New Step Sequencer</strong></div><div>Use LinnStrument&#39;s RGB note pads as a powerful 2-track step sequencer with per-note velocity/duration/bend/y-axis values, any time signature, independent track step sizes and loop lengths, scales/drums/notes views, reverse play, live play while sequence plays, swing timing and more.<br><br><strong>Expressive Swing Arpeggiator<br></strong>LinnStrument&#39;s built-in Arpeggiator responds to all dimensions of movement for entirely new ways of beat-synced play. The Replay All mode creates chordal rhythms merely by varying chord pressure, and makes LinnStrument the world&#39;s only MPE beatbox.<br><br><strong>Split Keyboard / Strum / CC Faders<br></strong>You can split the keyboard to play two different sounds, and adjust the split point as you like. You can use one split to strum notes fingered on the other split as like a guitar. Or use either split as eight horizontal Control Change Faders to adjust 8 sound parameters in real time as you play.<br><br><strong>Low Row</strong></div><div>The lowest row of note pads can be reassigned to act as a Sustain Pedal, a Modulation or Bend strip, to momentarily enable the Arpeggiator (sliding your thumb to vary its rate), to restrike a fingered chord, or even as a 3D control strip, modulating three parameters at once.<br><br><br></div>",
"value":"999.00",
"priceMin":"999.00",
"priceMax":"999.00",
"priceSavingsMaxPrice":"0.00",
"priceSavingsMaxPercent":"17",
"inventory":"2",
"brand":"Roger Linn Design",
"reviewStarImageUrl": "https://static.musiciansfriend.com/img/brand/mf/cmn/Sprit-Sm-Stars.png",
"reviewStarRating":"5.0",
"reviewStarRatingInteger":"10",
"reviewHowManyReviews":"2",
"usedOrNew":"new",
"discontinued":"0",
"onOrder":"0",
"clearance":"0",
"canBeSold":"1",
"accessoryCategories":"site1LKG,site1LRAG,site1YTB",
"stickerText": "Save 17%",
"checksum":"503009310000",
"priceVisibility": "1"}